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A LIFE’S WORK IN PROGRESS

I've never really liked labels: I am this, I am that... But in the interest of introducing myself to the world, I can say that I am many things: nurse, writer, photographer, poet, painter, gardener, friend, armchair philosopher, counselor, nature lover, real-estate aficionado, movie buff, sometime yogi, and aspiring world-traveler. I think that's a pretty good list, for now. I want to become a bigger part of the vital, creative force I feel deeply at work in the world and connect with other people who want to do the same.

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FRESH OFF THE PAGE: Treading water

Listen to this poem read aloud here…

Treading water

When I was youngand just learning to swimin a sea of possibilities,I saw beneath me always,very clearly, through the water,the bright solid shapeof the bottom below;I felt its presence,took comfort in its clarity,ever there, solid and sure,visible as I swam,should I chance to look down.

Then as I grew,and life’s rough lessonsturned me over and underlike the churning of the tides,my constant movements–choices made and not,the losses and gains,those things left unsaid,loose ends still untied–stirred the sands beneath me,clouded the watersonce so blue and clear.

Til now there is only a haze,floating suspended,surrounding me–no bottom is visible,no direction certain,no comfort or solace foundin the void obscured beneath;I can’t see anymorewhat might wait there,what monsters or miracles,terrible and beautiful,glide all around me.

Still I keep treading water,knowing all the whileI could drift here forever,or be swept up, saved,or gone in a momentdown to the depths;or I might yet find the strengthto keep on swimming, turn my gaze forward,give up on looking down,pressing bravely onwardtoward an unseen shore.

About Jacqlyn Thorne

I've never really liked labels: I am this, I am that... But in the interest of introducing myself to the world, I can say that I am many things: nurse, writer, photographer, poet, painter, gardener, friend, armchair philosopher, counselor, nature lover, real-estate aficionado, movie buff, sometime yogi, and aspiring world-traveler. I think that's a pretty good list... for now. I want to become a bigger part of the vital, creative force I feel deeply at work in the world and connect with other people who want to do the same.